Social Question

What can I do about my smelly shoes?

What cheap or free home rememdies are there for really smelly shoes? I have a pair of running shoes, that I love to death, but they stink to high heavan! They DO have a removable insole, but the whole shoe stinks, not just the insole. I am embarrassed to take my shoes off around others. It makes my socks and my feet stink horribly as well.

Can I wash running shoes in a washing machine? what about just the insoles? What cleaning products are best for smelly shoes? How can I escape the stench!?

Vinegar and baking soda are both great deodorizers. Try soaking your shoes in vinegar and water for an hour or so, then rinse with clear water. You can neutralize the vinegar smell by putting a little baking soda in the rinse.

Next try to eliminate or reduce the source of the smell in the first place. Try antiperspirant spray on your feet. I’m not a fan of antiperspirant, but when a problem like this makes it difficult to be around people you have to do something.

I’ve washed mine in the washing machine, and there was no damage done. Keep in mind, this is only a short-term fix. Here is a link that addresses how to prevent it in the future.

While I don’t agree with everything the article says, it does have some valid facts about what causes feet to smell and how to prevent it from living on shoes. And one thing that it doesn’t address is that it can be helpful to have a second pair of (running) shoes on hand so that they can be alternated while the other pair has an opportunity to air out.

Ah, the material is a good point. I have washed my Keds (canvas) and they curl up a bit when the cotton material shrinks upon drying. Since the rubber sole doesn’t, they stretch back out to normal form easily upon wearing. The tennis shoes/trainers I’ve washed are leather at the toe and heel, and nylon or synthetic in between. No damage has been done. They are put outside to dry, not only to let them air naturally, but to keep from potentially being damaged by the intense heat of a clothes dryer.

I would still wash them in the machine, at about thirty degrees Celsius ( 30 degree Celsius = 86 degree Fahrenheit ) use a liquid detergent…. Run the cycle for thirty minutes or so…… after washing let them drip dry on the washing line outside or on an outside window ledge… You can buy all sorts of products to revive the leather once they’re dry, whichever suits your needs, also shoe spray, to kill bacteria inside the shoe

@FluffyChicken My sister has told me for a while to try soaking my feet in green tea for a while once a week or so. Sorry that it’s more of a proactive measure than reactive. I still haven’t tried it, but she swears it worked for her and my nephew!